This audiobook hooked me right from the first chapter. Up in Smoke is a fast-paced, emotional YA mystery that blends suspense with real-world issues in a way that feels raw, honest, and totally unflinching. The dual narrators bring Cooper and Monique’s voices to life with so much emotion, it felt like I was listening to real teens in a real crisis—not just characters in a story.

The plot kicks off with a protest that turns deadly. A woman is killed, and Jason, Monique’s brother and Cooper’s friend, gets arrested. Cooper knows Jason didn’t do it, but he also has secrets that could put him in danger. With Monique’s help, they set out to uncover the truth—and what they find is way deeper than they ever expected.

This story doesn’t shy away from heavy topics like police corruption, racism, and what it means to be a young Black teen trying to survive in a broken system. But it balances those hard truths with moments of heart, friendship, even love. Monique’s poetry adds depth, and Cooper’s quiet struggle to do the right thing makes him incredibly relatable.

What really stood out to me was how real these characters felt. They mess up, they grow, they care about each other in ways that are messy and true. The pacing never slows, and the ending delivers a punch I didn’t see coming. If you want an audiobook that keeps you guessing while making you feel something, this one’s for you. I’d recommend it for teens and adults alike—especially anyone who loves a mystery with meaning. Powerful, gripping, and unforgettable.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I loved The Promise Boys, so when I saw there was another book by Brooks coming out I was hella excited! And sure enough, this one was just as good as the other one. This mystery had me hooked, I was yelling at the MC like I was his librarian IRL, and I obviously had to try and solve it before they did lol

Ok so the mystery in this one stressed me out. I had to take a couple breaks here and there because I was mad af at him for some of that shit he was doing. Like I didn’t like how he ended up there at all. And I had to keep reminding myself they were just children because they made some DECISIONS. The house? The “field trip?” Lordt my heart was going a mile a minute. And then when it all came out and the enemy was the enemy, I was impressed with the way Brooks did that.

The romance was cute. I always find it hilarious when a romance sparks up in the middle of a murder mystery because it always seems so out of pocket lol But this one was actually really organic. I thought it worked so well because they were originally friends and they had a connection through a previous crush already. I thought they transitioned pretty easily into their new roles. Which made it all the worse for me when that third act break up hit. This is another one of those times when I had to take a break because I was cringing so hard about what he did. That was a pretty bone headed decision Cooper and I was glad you got some push back about it because why in the world would you do that, do THAT, and then think it was ok to not say anything?! I wanted to pop him lol

The ending was the only thing that I had a bit of trouble with. It felt a little abrupt. I think I wanted more about the person behind it. I knew their story because he gave us the run down, but it was so fast and sort of info dumpy. And then they were already trying with the safe. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it was a little more spread out.

This was a bit scary because it really felt like something that could actually happen. I really felt like this was something that I might see on the news. And that is pretty scary. All of this to say, read this if you haven’t already!

This thriller is very fitting for life in our world today. A woman gets murdered during a rally where the supporters are trying to get justice from a n African American youth who was wrongly killed. When her brother gets put in jail as the suspected killer Monica teams up with her friend and they start searching for answers. They have to get into some sticky spots in order to find the answers they are looking for.

Up in Smoke is Nick Brooks' second book after Promise Boys. Like Promise Boys, Up in Smoke is a mystery told in alternating points of view. Cooper is good friends with his long time best friend and crush's brother, Jason, but when Jason asks him to be a part of a robbery Cooper is conflicted: Cooper has just lost his summer job and feels compelled to help his father with his mother's medical debt after her death. When Jason assures him he'll just be a lookout and won't actually steal anything Cooper reluctantly agrees, but as Cooper and Jason's crew start looting during a protest that Monique, his crush, is leading, things don't go as planned. Cooper flees the protest and makes it home only to discover that Jason has been arrested for murder. Can Monique and Cooper clear Jason's name and prove that something larger is happening? Or will Jason go down for murder and will Cooper be caught up in it? I really liked that the characters in this were nuanced. Cooper and Jason both made mistakes but there was a lot more to the story than an outsider might have seen -- and both were trying to learn from their mistakes and better themselves. The larger mystery and suspense of trying to figure out the murder was engaging and will keep readers invested in the story. I really liked how everything came together in the end and enjoyed reading this one. If you like mystery or Brooks' other novel, pick this one up! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Up in Smoke was an absolute page turner full of racial reckoning, potentially dirty cops, and propulsive mystery. Plus, the fact that Nick Brooks created a rap playlist with a third POV to accompany the text is such a genius choice!

I really liked the dual voices to represent the two POVs in the audiobook, both actors did their characters justice, bringing their inner turmoil and budding romance out in believable ways. This was an engaging listen.

I am very much in my thriller era, and this didn't disappoint. It's a fast read, and lots of twists and turns. It gave me murder gang version of The Hate U Give vibes because of the themes of social justice. I listened to the audiobook version which made this feel even more intense. If you liked The Hate U Give or A Good Kind of Trouble, I'd absolutely recommend this.

Anyone who tells you YA is immature hasn’t read much YA, particularly this book.

Nuanced characters in nuanced settings with nuanced motives.

I loved the characters, main and secondary (particularly Cooper’s father), the snippets of poetry, the dual POVs, and the hard-hitting-get-your-ass-to-Jesus social commentary.

One of the last lines of dialogue was a journalist saying that Coop and Mo have a future in investigative journalism, and my hopeful heart is pinning it all on this continuing as a series.

I’m looking forward to adding this one to our library’s YA collection, and tracking down Promise Boys.

I stopped reading because the book focused on real-life crimes involving children, which I find too upsetting to engage with. I also prefer to avoid stories that center heavily on political or racial themes, as those subjects are not something I look for in my reading. It just wasn’t a good fit for my personal taste.

Loved it. Loved the story, the author and the audiobook. Kept me interested but also covered hot topics. More than just a fiction book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review. This turned out to be something completely different than what I had expected. I enjoyed the mystique and the surprising plot. The narrator just added to the experience, bringing the story alive.

Up in Smoke is one of those books I read in both audio and physical form. Based on the amazing audiobook of Promise Boys, Up in Smoke doesn't disappoint. With two narrators, the narration makes the poetry sections come alive! Up in Smoke is a fast paced mystery. I couldn't stop listening as Cooper and Monique have to not only figure out their own feelings, but also solve the crime to absolve her brother. I also loved how Up in Smoke explores what we can do with these feelings of rage within this dysfunctional system.

Quick Hook:
A Bronx-set YA with strong social themes and emotional depth—but the central mystery fizzles beneath everything else.

What Worked:
The language was a standout—real, modern, and immersive. I appreciated the multiple narrators and how each chapter title connected to the plot. The book thoughtfully explores grief, police violence, and the influence of community and environment on teens. Coop’s character arc, especially how he handled his grief and responsibilities, was well done. I also enjoyed his budding romance with Monique—it added softness to an otherwise heavy narrative.

What Didn’t Work:
The biggest letdown? The mystery. While it was supposed to be the driving force of the story, it often took a backseat to other subplots and social commentary. The murder happened quickly, and then the investigation felt scattered and underdeveloped until the very end—leaving me with more questions than answers. Monique’s impulsive decisions, the uneven pacing between narrators, and a rushed, unresolved ending didn’t help. Some of the analogies—like comparing unions to mobs—felt off, and ultimately, the mystery didn’t anchor the story the way I expected.

Who Should Read It:
Readers who like character-driven YA with real-world issues at the forefront, and a mystery that’s more backdrop than center stage. Best for fans of The Hate U Give who don’t mind a slow-burning plot.

S.P.I.C.E. Rating:
• Setting: Bronx done right
• Plot: Promised mystery, delivered distraction
• Impact: Strong themes, uneven focus
• Characters: Coop was the heart; Monique’s arc needed more
• Emotion: Moments of intensity but lacked resolution

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

Nick Brooks delivers a tense, emotionally charged thriller with Up in Smoke. Told in dual POV, this fast-paced mystery follows Cooper, who’s hiding a devastating secret, and Monique, who’s determined to clear her brother’s name—no matter the cost. With razor-sharp tension, a slow-burn romance, and themes of justice, loyalty, and truth, this book is perfect for fans of Karen McManus and The Hate U Give.

The narrator was dynamic and truly brought this story to life, adding depth to both the suspense and the emotional moments. The plot twists kept me guessing, and the stakes stayed high from start to finish. While a few emotional beats near the end could’ve used a bit more development, the story as a whole is gripping, timely, and hard to put down.

Highly recommended for readers who love high-stakes mysteries with heart—and audiobooks that enhance the experience.

"unmask a murderer or take the fall."

One girl trying to clear her brother's name after he was taken into custody once a protest went deadly-and one boy who is hiding a deep secret, not daring to risk getting dragged down for the crime as well.

I really loved the narration for this book! I think I might get a physical copy and an audio copy either for my library or on libro.fm! This book is phenomenal, I definitely think that people who are fans of the Hate U Give, which I loved when it came out, and maybe a good girl's guide to murder fans would love this story as well??

The themes surrounding social justice in this book drew me in from the start. This book worked well as an audiobook, especially with the switching perspectives and voices. I really enjoyed the character dynamics, but the suspense could have been built a bit more. Overall, it was a great short read that would be perfect for reluctant readers with it's short chapters and timely topics.

I received an advance audiobook copy of UP in Smoke by Nick Brooks from netgalley.

The narration was so well done! Easy to follow time-line and change in characters.

The story is also well done. It's a hard, but important, topic. Perfect for YA audience.

The character development is amazing. Hard topics, good lessons. Definitely recommend.

4.5 ⭐️ | Excellent story! This book touched on some heavy subjects such as crime against black and brown boys/men, police corruption and protests gone wrong. The story was raw, real and drew out a lot of emotion. The characters are well developed and authentic, especially Cooper the protagonist, whose voice was unforgettable. The narrators in this audiobook did an amazing job, bringing life to both the male & female main characters in this story. From the very first page, this author captures the intensity of a young man’s struggle to stay true to himself while navigating the chaos of his environment.

When a peaceful protest turns deadly, Cooper’s good friend Jason is arrested for the murder. Although he’s been harboring secrets, no one that knows Jason feels that he committed this crime. Cooper teams up with Monique, Jason’s sister solve this crime as Coop is also trying to ensure his own freedom, considering he was present during the protest. Turning into junior sleuths, they uncover corruption so deep, it will make your head spin! Are they in over their heads? Or will they uncover the truth before they potentially become the next victims?

Overall a great read that I would recommend! Solid writing style that drew me in from the beginning and continued to hold my interest. I absolutely loved Monique’s poems, they definitely resonated. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Story rating: 3stars

I really enjoyed Promise Boys and was excited to read this story but sadly it didn't engage me the same way. The story had short chapters, good pacing, but I was just bored with the story.

Audiobook rating:
Aubrey Joseph & Megan Sousa are new to me narrators and they did a great job with bringing the story to life and I would def listen to another book by them.

The audio was very well done. The story as a whole had well thought out characters. The story had multiple lines that all lead back to each other so there is something for everyone.